Awards Day

Awards Day 2015

Each year, the School of Law community recognizes outstanding achievement by students and faculty. The 2015 Awards Day ceremony and luncheon will be Tuesday, April 7, at 12:40 pm in the Law School Lobby.

Most of the following scholarships and awards are given on the basis of student applications and recommendations. To apply for an award or scholarship, please review the criteria and complete an Award Application Form. If you would like to nominate or recommend someone for an award, please complete the appropriate Nomination and Recommendation Form. You may apply, or nominate others, for multiple awards. Please consider who among your classmates who may be deserving of these awards, submit nominations on their behalf, and encourage others to add their support by submitting additional recommendations!

The nomination and recommendation period for 2015 is closed.

Awards and Scholarships

Boone Foundation Scholarship for Law

The Waccamaw Community Foundation is seeking applications from University of South Carolina law students for the Boone Foundation Scholarship for Law. Eligible applicants must be presently enrolled, have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, and demonstrate financial need. First preference is for students from Horry County, South Carolina. If there are no eligible law students from Horry County, the scholarship award nominees may be any law student(s) meeting the above criteria from the State of South Carolina.

Applicants should submit a short essay on the reasons he or she should be considered for the scholarship. In the essay, students should include their full name, school, hometown, address, and concentration area (if applicable). The Foundation requests a recent photograph for publicity purposes. The typewritten essay with the accompanying photograph should be submitted through the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Susan Palmer, Room 217 of the Law School, by 5:00 p.m. on March 31. If you have questions, Dean Palmer may be reached at 777-6843 (Email).

Award: $1,500

Selection: Waccamaw Community Foundation Committee

Note: The Waccamaw Community Foundation will announce the recipient of the Boone Foundation Award in June 2015, rather than at the Awards Day ceremony.

Sherod H. Eadon Scholarship

Endowed by the family of Lynwood Hightower to honor Sherod Eadon, a 1979 USC law graduate, a great South Carolina lawyer, and an outstanding man. This scholarship award is presented to a student who exhibits an interest and ability in trial advocacy and who possesses those personal qualities representative of Sherod Eadon, such as academic excellence, integrity, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

2015 Award: $500

Selection: School of Law Awards Committee

I.M. Goldberg South Carolina Bar Foundation Scholarship

The Goldberg Scholarship was created by the South Carolina Bar Foundation in honor of I.M. Goldberg, a prominent Charleston attorney who specialized in family law. The scholarship provides an award each year to a deserving University of South Carolina law student with a demonstrated interest in family law.

2015 Award: $500

Selection: School of Law Awards Committee

Knox Haynsworth Scholarship

Given in honor of the highly respected Greenville attorney Knox Haynsworth and presented to a rising third-year student with a demonstrated interest or excellence in Labor Law.

2015 Award: $3,000

Selection: School of Law Awards Committee

John Holland Scholarship

Given in memory of John Holland, a 1980 graduate of the School of Law, who practiced law until his tragic death in an automobile accident in 1986. This scholarship is awarded to a rising third-year student who demonstrates a commitment to leadership and extracurricular activities.

2015 Award: $2,500

Selection: By a special committee of friends and colleagues of John Holland

Stanley H. Kohn Memorial Scholarship

Presented to a rising second- or third-year student who is a member of Phi Alpha Delta and who demonstrates scholastic achievement, high moral character and financial need.

2015 Award: $500

Selection: School of Law Committee

Karen Lee Scholarship**

Given in memory of Karen Lee and presented to a rising third-year student who best combines determination and dedication to academic pursuits with a genuine concern for the welfare of fellow classmates. Karen was a "B" student who got there through hard work and perseverance through significant health challenges in her second semester of law school. Most importantly, she is remembered as having a true concern for all members of the class. She befriended those who did not fit in. She was a leader who helped to eliminate the economic, social, and racial cliques that for a time were evident in her class. She had a nice thing to say to everyone, and she always had a smile. She was the sponsor of all the class "get well" and "condolence" activities.

2015 Award: $1,000

Selection: School of Law Awards Committee

**The recipient of this award must be nominated by a student or faculty member, using the Karen Lee Scholarship Nomination and Recommendation Form, which is available on the School of Law Awards Day website.

Self-nominations are not accepted.

Luther Lee Scholarship

Awarded to a third-year student who has excelled in activities demonstrating interest and skills in trial practice. Mr. Lee was a 1950 graduate of the Law School and a proud self-proclaimed "plaintiff's lawyer." He served as an officer of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association.

2015 Award: $4,000

Selection: School of Law Awards Committee

Benjamin M. Mabry Scholarship

Presented in memory of Benjamin M. Mabry, a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law, whose 31-year career was dedicated to representing individuals in employment law. This scholarships will be given to a rising third-year law student who is interested in the practice of employment and labor law and who demonstrates leadership and academic potential.

2015 Award: $1,000

Selection: By the South Carolina Bar Employment and Labor Law Section Council. Applicants should submit the Benjamin M. Mabry Scholarship application form and supporting materials to Dean Palmer, who will forward them to the Council for their decision.

Senator Burnet R. Maybank Scholarship

Presented to a rising second- or third-year student who is a South Carolina resident, and who has demonstrated a commitment to public service, scholastic achievement, and high moral character.

Award: $250

Selection: School of Law Awards Committee

Susan McCrary Scholarship

Given in memory of Susan McCrary, a member of the Class of 2000, who died in an automobile accident during her second year of law school. This award is presented to a rising third-year student who has actively participated in student volunteer organizations while in law school, such as the Pro Bono Program and the James L. Petigru Public Interest Law Society. Other law school and community activities may be considered.

2015 Award: $2,000

Selection: School of Law Awards Committee

Joe McNulty Memorial Scholarship

Created in honor of Joe McNulty, a member of the Class of 2015. Joe McNulty's remarkable dedication to his calling, excellence as a student, vision of public service and kindness to fellow students, this award is presented to a current first-year law student who best exhibits the same attributes with which Joe was blessed. As his health rapidly declined towards the end of his first semester as a law student, Joe was extraordinarily engaged in his classes and in the law school community. He overcame significant obstacles in his nearly two-year battle with cancer in order to fulfill his dream of attending law school, and his dedication to the study of law never wavered even into the final days of his life. Joe's determination to study law in the grips of this painful disease will serve as a lasting inspiration to all who know his story and have the privilege of being law students. Dedicated to the memory of Joe, this award is given to encourage a stronger sense of dedication, civility and calling among USC law students and to enhance the preparation of future lawyers for a life of self-sacrifice and service to their communities.

2015 Award: $5,000.00, disbursed $2,500 per year in the second and third years of law school.

Selection: School of Law Committee

Joseph O. Rogers, Jr. Scholarship**

Presented to a rising third year student who exemplifies the highest ideals of the legal profession, by adherence to strict ethical standards; diligent preparation; decent, civil and courteous conduct; and fidelity to fellow students and the profession.

2015 Award: $2,000

Selection: School of Law Awards Committee

**The recipient of this award must be nominated by a student or faculty member, using the Joseph O. Rogers, Jr. Scholarship Nomination and Recommendation Form, which is available on the School of Law Awards Day website. Self-nominations are not accepted.

The Compleat Lawyer Bronze Award

In 1992, the University of South Carolina School of Law Alumni Association created The Compleat Lawyer Award to recognize outstanding attorneys and exceptional graduating students for their accomplishments. Each year, the Platinum Award is given to up to three attorneys who have been in practice for more than 30 years; the Gold Award is given to up to three attorneys who have been in practice for 15-30 years; and the Silver Award is given to up to three attorneys who have been in practice for fewer than 15 years. The Bronze Award is presented at Commencement to three graduating law students, who, through their performance in law school and their relationships with students and professors, have demonstrated their potential to be outstanding attorneys. Award recipients will possess the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and professionalism.

Selection: School of Law Awards Committee

Note: The Compleat Lawyer Bronze Awards are presented at graduation, rather than at the Awards Day ceremony.

G.G. Dowling Student Award

Given in honor of G.G. Dowling, a 1938 graduate, who was a senior partner in the Dowling Law Firm of Beaufort. The award is presented to a student who exemplifies qualities of integrity, concern for others, and demonstrated scholarship achievement.

2015 Award: $1,200

Selection: School of Law Awards Committee

The Student Bar Association's Committed Student Award

The Student Bar Association at the University of South Carolina School of Law is committed to serving the student body, the community, and the legal profession. The purposes and objectives of the Association are:

To promote and maintain a high degree of integrity which is essential to the legal profession; to encourage the growth of a strong sense of professional responsibility; to maintain an effective liaison among students, faculty, and alumni of the School of Law; to sponsor and maintain such services as may be deemed beneficial to the students of the School of Law; and to foster a closer personal relationship among the law school community.

The student who receives this award should exemplify commitment to these three facets of service. The student must be a good-standing member of the Student Bar Association, but may not be a former or currently elected or appointed officer or representative of the Association. To apply, or to nominate someone, for this award, please describe how the student embodies the mission of the SBA. Specifically, how does the student exhibit commitment to the student body, the community, and the legal profession?

Award: $500

Selection: By a panel of former SBA officers.

Hugh L. Willcox Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year Award and Outstanding Pro Bono Service Awards

Presented to those students who have been exemplars for other volunteers through their participation, support and demonstrated commitment to the goals and activities of the USC School of Law Pro Bono Program.

Award: $250 and Plaque

Selection: Pro Bono Board

*See Pro Bono web page for further criteria for these awards.

Susan McCrary Volunteer of the Year Award

Given in memory of Susan McCrary, a member of the Class of 2000, who was killed in an automobile accident during her second year of law school. The award is presented to a student who is active in Women in Law sponsored pro bono projects, and who pushes others to do their best, gives unselfishly to others, and works tirelessly to help others.

Award: Certificate

Selection: Women in Law

Announcement of the following awards will be made at the Awards Day Luncheon. The recipients of these awards are chosen by members of the faculty or established selection committees:

The Richard J. Foster Award

Awarded to the first-year student with the highest GPA.

The Coleman Karesh Award

Awarded to the second-year student with the highest GPA.

The Cy Young Award

Awarded to the third-year student with the highest GPA.

Arthur B. Custy Award

Awarded to the best student in Taxation.

John O. McDougall Family Law Award

Awarded to the third year student with the highest grade point average in family law.

The Irving Steinberg Award

Awarded to the student with the highest grade in Workers Compensation.

Albert C. Todd, III, Estate Planning Award

Awarded to a third-year student who exemplifies integrity, industry, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

The Claud Sapp Award

Awarded to the third-year student who best exemplifies the combination of scholarship, leadership, and industry. The recipient is selected by a vote of the third-year class.

Student Bar Association Service Award

Awarded to an SBA member who demonstrates outstanding leadership and service.

Clinical Program Professionalism Award

Awarded to a student who demonstrates the highest commitment to the standards of professionalism through representation of clients in a clinical course.

Robert T. Bockman Award

Awarded to an outstanding member of the Moot Court Bar.

Mark Blickle Award

Awarded to the best oralist in the J. Woodrow Lewis Moot Court Competition.

Robert McCormick Figg Award

Awarded to a student who demonstrates excellence in trial advocacy skills and professional demeanor.